Shopping cart

ABSTRACT

A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priorityunder 35 USC 119(e) to, each of U.S. provisional patent application62/119,363, and U.S. provisional patent application 62/276,215. Thedisclosure of these provisional patent applications is incorporated byreference herein, and the disclosure of the '215 provisional patentapplication is contained in the appendix attached hereto andincorporated by reference herein.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to carts and, more particularly,to shopping carts.

A conventional shopping cart is shown in FIG. 31. It is believed thatfew, if any, improvements have been made to the shopping cart in recentdecades. Consequently, it is believed that the time has come for newimprovements to carts in general, and such shopping carts in specific.One or more aspects and features of the present invention are believedto represent such an improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of shopping, the present invention is not limited to use only inshopping, as will become apparent from the following summaries anddetailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodimentsof the present invention.

Accordingly, in an aspect of the invention, a cart includes a chassis;wheels attached to the chassis; an upper basket attached to the chassisand defining an upper cargo area for receiving articles for transport onthe cart; and a lower basket attached to the chassis and defining alower cargo area for receiving articles for transport on the cart.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises a shopping cart.

In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises acompartment divider for forming a plurality of compartments in the cargoarea of the basket for separating articles placed in the basket. In afurther related feature, the one or more dividers each is selectivelytransitionable between an upright position, in which the dividercompartmentalizes the cargo receiving area, and a stowed position, inwhich the divider does not compartmentalize the cargo receiving area.

In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises awire basket.

In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises awire grid defining a bottom of the basket. In additional relatedfeatures, both baskets each comprises a wire grid defining a bottom ofthe basket, with the grid of the upper basket defining smaller openingsbetween wires than that defined by the grid of the lower basket. Inanother additional related feature, the wire grid bends to extendupwardly at the front of the basket to further define a front wall ofthe basket.

In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each compriseslengthwise wires at least some of which extend in generally parallel,spaced relation to define a side wall of the basket.

In a feature of this aspect, the upper basket is cantilevered over thelower basket. In an additional related feature, the chassis comprises awidthwise support member on which the upper basket is cantilevered overthe lower basket. In some embodiments, such widthwise support member isthe only part of the chassis that extends the width of the cartunderneath and in engagement with the upper basket and that is directlyconnected to and directly supports the upper basket in its cantileveredposition over the lower basket.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart further comprises a rack locatedunder the lower basket. The rack preferably comprises a wire frameworkthat is bounded at the front and sides by the chassis, including aportion of the chassis that defines a U-shaped bottom bumper of the cartthat extends around the front and part of the sides of the bottom of thecart. In an additional related feature, the lower basket is cantileveredover the rack, and the chassis comprises a widthwise support member onwhich the lower basket is cantilevered over the rack. In someembodiments, such widthwise support member is the only part of thechassis that extends the width of the cart underneath and in engagementwith the lower basket and that is directly connected to and directlysupports the lower basket in its cantilevered position over the rack.

In a feature of this aspect, the wheels include a pair of front wheelsand a pair of back wheels. In an additional related feature, each wheelof the two pair of wheels swivel 360 degrees. In an alternativeadditional related feature, each of the pair of front wheels swivel 360degrees, and neither of the pair of back wheels swivels.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart is designed and configured to nestwith other like carts. In an additional related feature, the nesting isaccomplished by pushing the front of a first one of the carts into therear of a second one of the carts such that the upper basket of thefirst cart is received within the upper basket of the second cart, andthe lower basket of the first cart is received within the lower basketof the second cart. When nesting, a rear wall of the upper basket of thesecond cart preferably collapses in response to the front of the upperbasket of the first cart being pushed there against, and a rear wall ofthe lower basket of the second cart preferably collapses in response tothe front of the lower basket of the first cart being pushed thereagainst.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises one or more cup holders.In an additional related feature, each cup holder is attached to thechassis of the cart at the uppermost part of the cart.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises a latch located on orattached to a basket on a side of the cart, whereby a purse or otherpersonal item having a strap or ring can be latched to the cart in asecure location and manner.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart includes no widthwise push bar ina rear of the cart for pushing of the cart by a person such that accessis unobstructed to the upper basket and to the lower basket from therear of the cart by a person.

In a feature of this aspect, the chassis comprises elongate membersconnected together, such as for example by welding or by beingintegrally connected through molding or other formation technique. Theelongate members may comprise, for example, tubes having oval,rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal cross-sectional profiles, aswell as combinations thereof. Still yet, in some embodiments the chassisconsists of such elongate members connected together. The elongatemembers further may be bent.

In a feature of this aspect, the chassis defines areas on oppositelateral sides of the cart for gripping and pushing the cart by a personwhen standing at the rear of the cart. These areas of the chassispreferably are curved. In an additional related feature, the chassisdefines on each of the opposite lateral sides of the cart a pair ofvertically spaced handles, wherein each handle surrounds and defines aninterior opening area. In this respect, each handles may comprise ahandle bar shaped in an oval, and the interior opening area can be usedfor promotional space. Furthermore, one or more elongate members of thechassis on each side of the cart extend between and connect the handles.In some embodiments including such features, the handles and an elongatemember connecting the handles on a lateral side of the cart define theshape of armless spectacles. In some embodiments including suchfeatures, such elongate member is curved and in the shape of an arc inextending between the handles, with such elongate member extendingbeyond the rear of the upper basket and the rear of the lower basket soas to define the rearmost part of the cart. Furthermore, in someembodiments including such features, the handles on each side arevertically located over a wheel of the cart.

In a feature of this aspect, the rear area of the upper basketpreferably defines a seat for an infant.

In a feature of this aspect, the lower basket defines a seat at a reararea thereof for a toddler. In an additional related feature, a rearwall of the lower basket moves away so that the rear area including aresulting rear edge of the lower basket is used as a ledge for sittingof the toddler. Additionally, the rear of the upper basket ishorizontally offset toward the front of the cart relative to the rear ofthe lower basket so as to provide clearance by which a toddler sits upwhen seated on the rear ledge of the lower basket.

Additional aspects and features in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention are disclosed in the draft one-pagemarketing sheet of the Appendix, which is incorporated herein byreference.

Yet another aspect comprises making a cart in accordance with one ormore of the foregoing aspects and features.

Another aspect comprises using a cart in accordance with one or more ofthe foregoing aspects and features.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations ofsuch aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combinedwith an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present inventionwithout requiring any other aspect or feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective front left view of a cart in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of the cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective front right view of the cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective right side view of the cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4a is another perspective right side view similar to FIG. 4schematically illustrating a shape resembling armless spectacles formedby portions of the chassis on the right side of the cart.

FIG. 4b is another perspective right side view similar to FIG. 4schematically illustrating another shape resembling armless spectaclesformed by portions of the chassis on the right side of the cart.

FIG. 5 is a perspective back right view of the cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective back left view of the cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective left side view of the cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8a is another perspective left side view similar to FIG. 8schematically illustrating a shape resembling armless spectacles formedby portions of the chassis on the left side of the cart.

FIG. 8b is another perspective left side view similar to FIG. 8schematically illustrating another shape resembling armless spectaclesformed by portions of the chassis on the left side of the cart.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top of the cart of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective top left front view of a cart in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective top left side view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective top left back view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective top right back view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a perspective top right side view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a perspective top right front view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a perspective bottom left front view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is another perspective bottom left front view of the cart ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 18 is a perspective bottom left side view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 19 is a perspective bottom left back view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 20 is a perspective bottom right back view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 21 is another perspective bottom right back view of the cart ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 22 is a perspective bottom right side view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 23 is a perspective bottom right front view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 24 is another perspective bottom right front view of the cart ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the bottom of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 26 is a perspective bottom rear view of the cart of FIG. 10.

FIG. 27 is a perspective top left side view of a cart in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a close-up perspective view of part of the cart of FIG. 27schematically illustrating the attachment of a latching mechanism to theupper basket of the cart.

FIG. 29 is a close-up perspective view of part of the cart of FIG. 27schematically illustrating the offset of the upper basket to the lowerbasket of the cart.

FIG. 30 illustrates a nesting arrangement of carts in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a conventional shopping cart includinga push bar.

FIG. 32 is a close-up perspective view of part of the cart of FIG. 27schematically illustrating the omission of a push bar in a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a close-up perspective view of part of the cart of FIG. 27schematically illustrating the widthwise elongate support member thatextends under and directly engages and supports the upper basket beneaththe seating area of the upper basket.

FIG. 34 is a close-up perspective view of part of the cart of FIG. 27schematically illustrating high side walls providing enclosure for theseating area of the upper basket of the cart.

FIG. 35 is a close-up perspective view of part of the cart of FIG. 27schematically illustrating the seating area of the upper basket of thecart.

FIG. 36 is a perspective top left side view of the cart of FIG. 27schematically illustrating the height of the cargo area of the lowerbasket and the height of the side walls of the upper basket.

FIG. 37 is a perspective top left side view of the cart of FIG. 27schematically illustrating the height and footprint of the cart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. As should be understood,any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore,any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” isconsidered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out thepresent invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed foradditional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, anyembodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, manyembodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodimentsdescribed herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention inany claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined bythe claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that thescope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined byreading into any claim a limitation found herein that does notexplicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theissued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. 112, subsection (f), no claimelement is intended to be read in accordance with this statutoryprovision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” isactually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provisionis intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-9, FIG. 1 is a perspective front left view of acart 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.2 is a perspective view of the front of the cart 100; FIG. 3 is aperspective front right view of the cart 100; FIG. 4 is a perspectiveright side view of the cart 100; FIG. 4a is another perspective rightside view similar to FIG. 4 schematically illustrating a shaperesembling armless spectacles formed by portions of the chassis on theright side of the cart 100; FIG. 4b is another perspective right sideview similar to FIG. 4 schematically illustrating another shaperesembling armless spectacles formed by portions of the chassis on theright side of the cart 100; FIG. 5 is a perspective back right view ofthe cart 100; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the cart 100;FIG. 7 is a perspective back left view of the cart 100; FIG. 8 is aperspective left side view of the cart 100; and FIG. 9 is a perspectiveview of the top of the cart 100.

With particular reference to FIG. 1, the cart 100 preferably is ashopping cart that comprises a chassis 102; wheels 104 attached to thechassis 102; an upper basket 106 attached to the chassis 102 thatdefines an upper cargo area 108 for receiving articles for transport onthe cart 100; and a lower basket 110 attached to the chassis 102 thatdefines a lower cargo area 112 for receiving articles for transport onthe cart 100.

The chassis 102 as shown consists of elongate members in the form ofpipes or tubes connected together by welding and by being integrallymolding together or made through other formation techniques, includingbending. The elongate members as shown include generally ovalcross-sectional profiles. The elongate members form different parts ofthe chassis, as now described in detail.

In greater detail, the chassis 102 defines areas on opposite lateralsides of the cart 100 for gripping and pushing the cart by a person whenstanding at the rear of the cart 100. With particular reference to FIG.4 showing the right hand side of the cart 100 and FIG. 8 showing theleft hand side of the cart 100, such areas of the chassis 102 include apair of vertically spaced handles on the right hand side of the cart100, including an upper handle 114 and a lower handle 116; and a pair ofvertically spaced handles on the left hand side of the cart 100,including an upper handle 118 and a lower handle 120. The handle pair onthe right hand side is vertically located over a rear wheel 104, and thehandle pair on the left hand side is vertically located over the otherrear wheel 104.

As further best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, elongate members 122,124 of thechassis 102 extend between and connect the handles 114,116 on the rightside of the cart 100; and elongate members 126,128 of the chassis 102extend between and connect the handles 118,120 on the right side of thecart 100. Of these elongate members, elongate members 124,128 each islinear in extending between handles, and elongate members 122,126 eachis curved in an arc in extending between handles and extends beyond therear of the upper basket 106 and the rear of the lower basket 110 so asto define the rearmost part of the cart 100.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 4a , handles 114,116 and connectingelongate member 122 on the right hand lateral side of the cart 100define the shape of armless spectacles, and as schematically illustratedin FIG. 8a , handles 118,120 and connecting elongate member 126 on theleft hand lateral side of the cart 100 define a similar shape of armlessspectacles. A different shape of armless spectacles is defined byhandles 114,116 and connecting elongate member 124 as schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 4b , and is defined by handles 118,120 andconnecting elongate member 128 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 8 b.

It is recognized that, in practice, the upper handles of the pairs andthe connecting elongate members 122,126 would be utilized in gripping,pushing, and steering the cart 100 by a person located at the rear ofthe cart 100, and that the lower “handle of each pair rarely, if ever,would be utilized in gripping, pushing, or steering the cart 100. Theportions of the chassis 102 forming the lower handles 116,120nonetheless are referred to as “handles” insofar as they are similar inconstruction and appearance to handles 114,118.

It further is contemplated that, while each handle is shown to comprisea handle bar that has been shaped into an oval configuration to surroundand define an interior opening area, the configuration may be polygonalin shape and that the interior opening area may be partially surroundedrather than entirely surrounded. It also is contemplated that theinterior opening area of each handle be used for promotional space, asdescribed in further detail below with reference to cart 200. It isbelieved that such areas do not aesthetically appear as secondary orseparate from the cart design, but rather serve to fill-in and completethe cart design.

Continuing with further detailed description regarding the chassis 102,and as perhaps best seen in FIG. 3, the chassis 102 comprises agenerally linear, widthwise support member 130 on which the upper basket106 is supported, and the chassis 102 comprises a U-shaped, widthwisesupport member 132 on which the lower basket 110 is supported.Furthermore, widthwise support member 130 extends between and connectshandles 114,118; and widthwise support member 132 extends between andconnects handles 116,120.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the chassis 102 also includes defines aU-shaped bottom bumper 134 of the cart 100 that extends around the frontand partway along the sides of the bottom of the cart 100. The cart 100further comprises a rack 136 that is located under the lower basket 110and that is bounded by the U-shaped bottom bumper 134 and the handles116,120. The rack 136 comprises a wire framework Including horizontalwire supports 138 that are bowed to allow for products to slide moreeasily onto the rack 136.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the upper basket 106 iscantilevered over the lower basket 110, and the widthwise support member130 supports the upper basket 106 in its cantilevered position over thelower basket 110. Moreover, as shown, the widthwise support member 130is the only part of the chassis 102 that extends the width of the cart100 and is directly connected to and directly supports the upper basket106 in its cantilevered position over the lower basket 110.

Similarly, it will be appreciated that the lower basket 110 iscantilevered over the rack 136, and the widthwise support member 132supports the lower basket 110 in its cantilevered position over the rack136. Moreover, as shown, the widthwise support member 132 is the onlypart of the chassis 102 that extends the width of the cart 100 and isdirectly connected to and directly supports the lower basket 110 in itscantilevered position over the rack 136.

Turning now the wheels 104, the cart 100 comprises four wheels 104including a pair of front wheels 104 and a pair of back wheels 104. Eachwheel 104 preferably is the same as the others and swivels in alldirections, i.e., 360 degrees. It is believed that enabling all wheelsto swivel freely will prevents extensive wear and tear on wheels insideand out that is seen in conventional carts, thereby reducingmaintenance. It is further believed that enabling all wheels to swivelfreely will provide for easier maneuverability of the cart in stores andparking lots when nested in groups and pushed by attendants, as well asachieve smooth fluid maneuverability of the cart in a store by a shopperwhether the cart is empty, partially loaded, or fully loaded. Inalternative embodiment, the pair of front wheels swivel 360 degrees, butneither of the back wheels swivel thereby providing a more fixeddirection when pushing the cart forward.

Turning now to the baskets, the upper basket 106 is attached to thechassis 102 such as by welding and is located at an elevation of aroundchest height for the average shopper, while the lower basket 110 islikewise attached to the chassis 102 and is located at an elevation ofaround thigh height for the average shopper.

As described above, the upper basket 106 is primarily supported by thesingle upper widthwise support member 130 that extends underneath theupper basket 106 between and is connected to the upper handles 114,118,with the upper widthwise support member 130 being located closer to therear of the upper basket 106 than to the front of the upper basket 106such that the upper basket 106 cantilevers over the lower basket 110.The upper basket 106 preferably is welded to the widthwise supportmember upper 130 as well as is welded along its sides to portions of thechassis 102 that are located at the sides of the cart 100.

The lower basket 110 is primarily supported on the single lowerwidthwise support member 132 that extends underneath the lower basket110 between and is connected to the lower handles 116,120, with thelower widthwise support member 132 being located closer to the rear ofthe upper basket 110 than to the front of the upper basket 110 such thatthe lower basket 110 cantilevers over the rack 136. The lower basket 110preferably is welded to the lower widthwise support member 132 as wellas is welded along its sides to portions of the chassis 102 that arelocated at the sides of the cart 100.

As shown upper basket 106 comprises a wire basket having a wire grid 140that defines a bottom of the basket upper basket 106. Furthermore, thewire grid 140 preferably bends to extend upwardly at the front of theupper basket 106 to define a front wall of the upper basket 106, asperhaps best seen in FIG. 9. Similarly, as shown lower basket 110comprises a wire basket having a wire grid 142 that defines a bottom ofthe lower basket 110. Furthermore, the wire grid 142 preferably bends toextend upwardly at the front of the lower basket 110 to define a frontwall of the lower basket 110, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, the wire grid of one of the baskets, such as theupper basket, includes a tighter cross-hatching of the wire therebydefining smaller openings or interstices between the wires thereof thanthe openings defined by the wires of the grid of the other basket. Inother embodiments the openings defined by the wires of the grid areapproximately the same. In any event, it is preferred that a sufficientopening be defined for rinsing and drying of the cart after exposure toinclement weather.

The opposite lateral side walls of each basket as illustrated eachcomprises lengthwise wires that extend in generally parallel, spacedrelation from front to back of the basket. Furthermore, the upper basket106 is shorter in length than the lower basket 110, with the front edgesof the baskets 106,110 generally overlying one another but with the backedges of the baskets 106,110 being offset.

The height between the top and bottom of the side walls of the upperbasket 106 reduces in height near the front of the upper basket 106 in adirection from back to front of the cart 100, whereby a low-profilefront of the upper basket 106 is defined that accommodates loading ofarticles into the upper basket 106 from the front of the cart 100. Incontrast, the height between the top and bottom of the side walls of thelower basket 110 is greatest at the rear of the cart 100 and reduces inheight between the rear and the front of the cart 100 in a directionfrom back to front of the cart 100 so as to define a sloped hill alongthe top of the side wall of the lower basket 110. Furthermore, the rearheight of the side wall of the lower basket 110 is visibly greater thanthe rear height of the side wall of the upper basket 106. In someembodiments, the height of the side wall of the lower basket 110 in therear is approximately 25% greater than the height of the side wall ofthe upper basket 106 in the rear. The height of the lower basket 110 inthe rear provides greater enclosure for taller articles placed in thecargo area of the lower basket 110.

The rear area of the upper basket 106 preferably defines a seat for aninfant weighing up to 35 lbs. Being in the rear of the upper basket 106,the infant is designed to be located in close proximity to the personpushing the cart. Snap-and-lock straps (now shown) preferably areincluded with the cart 100 for securing the infant. High side walls ofthe upper basket 106 in the rear area further secure the infant. This isrepresented in FIG. 34, which schematically illustrates the high sidewalls providing enclosure to the infant seating area of the upper basketof the cart 300 (described in detail below). Moreover, FIG. 35 alsoillustrates the infant seating area of cart 300, which is representativeof the infant seating area of cart 100.

With continuing reference to cart 100, two leg openings 146 defined inthe rear wall of the upper basket 106 are provided through which thelegs of the infant may be extended. A gate 148 serving as a compartmentdivider is provided for forming two compartments in the cargo area 108of the upper basket 106 for separating articles placed in the upperbasket 106 from the infant seating area. While the gate 148 may be fixedin position to the upper basket 106 and not movable, preferably the gate148 is connected to a bottom of the upper basket 106 for pivotingmovement relative thereto, and may be attached by one or more hinges tothe bottom of the upper basket 106. Alternatively other mechanisms canbe utilized in place of the one or more hinges so long as the gate isconfigurable between a generally upstanding position, in which the gate148 divides and compartmentalizes the cargo area, and a generally stowedposition, in which the gate 148 does not divide and compartmentalize thecargo area. A hinged seat covering (not shown) that is pivotal on therear wall of the upper basket 106 further may be provided forcompartmentalized use of the infant seating area as an area forreceiving articles when an infant is not seated there. Such a hingedseat covering is disclosed and described below with reference to cart200 and cart 300.

Similar to the upper basket, the lower basket 110 also defines a seatingarea at a rear area thereof. The seat of the lower basket 110 preferablyis designed for a toddler weighing over 35 lbs rather than an infantweighing under 35 lbs. In this respect, the rear wall 150 of the lowerbasket 110 preferably folds down onto the floor of the lower basket 110into a flattened position. The rear wall 150 preferably is attached at abottom edge thereof to the floor of the lower basket 110 by one or morehinges. Alternatively other mechanisms can be utilized in place of theone or more hinges so long as the rear wall 150 is able to transitionbetween an upward position and a folded position. When in the upstandingposition, the rear wall 150 prevents articles from rolling or otherwisefalling out of the lower basket 110 during shopping. Furthermore, whenpushed against during nesting of carts (discussed below), the rear wall150 collapses on impact to fold down. When the rear wall 150 is foldedto the floor, the resulting edge of the lower basket 110 thereby is madeavailable for use a ledge for sitting of a toddler. Furthermore, thehorizontal offset of the rear of the upper basket 106 relative to therear of the lower basket 110 provides the clearance by which a toddlercan sit up when seated on the ledge of the lower basket 110 when therear wall 150 thereof is folded to the floor. Such offset of the upperbasket 106 to the lower basket 110 is represented by the green lines inFIG. 29, which shows the offset of the upper basket to the lower basketin the cart 300.

A toddler seated in the seating area of the lower basket 110 on theledge thereof can be secured with a snap-and-lock strap (not shown).Moreover, the height of the side wall of the lower basket 110 at therear thereof provides significant enclosure for a toddler sitting in theseating area of and on the ledge of the lower basket 110. It also willbe appreciated that because the lower basket 110 is locatedsubstantially below the upper basket 106, the toddler's proximity to theground is greater than that of a toddler when placed into a largeshopping basket of a traditional cart, thereby providing greater safetyshould the toddler fall. Moreover, it is believed that the design of thecarts of the present invention discourage toddlers from being placed inthe upper basket.

The cart 100 is designed and configured to nest front-to-rear with otherlike carts. The nesting is accomplished by pushing the front of a firstone of the carts into the rear of a second one of the carts such thatthe upper basket of the first cart is received within the upper basketof the second cart, and the lower basket of the first cart is receivedwithin the lower basket of the second cart. When nesting, a rear wall ofthe upper basket of the second cart collapses in response to the frontof the upper basket of the first cart being pushed there against, and arear wall of the lower basket of the second cart collapses in responseto the front of the lower basket of the first cart being pushed thereagainst. A resulting nesting arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 30. Itis believed that when nested, the distance from the rear of cart to thefront of the cart in which it is nested is shorter than nesting ofconvention shopping carts, thereby resulting in a greater number ofcarts that can be stored together in a given area compared toconventional carts.

From the foregoing detailed description of cart 100 and correspondingdrawings, it will be appreciated that the cart 100 includes no widthwisepush bar in a rear of the cart for pushing of the cart by a person, asconventionally would be expected of a shopping cart. Such a push bar isillustrated in FIG. 31, illustrating a conventional shopping cart of theprior art, and the omission of the push bar in at least some embodimentsof the present invention is schematically illustrated in FIG. 32. Byomitting the push bar, unobstructed access by a person is provided toboth the upper basket and the lower basket from the rear of the cart.Moreover, omission of the push bar facilitates provision and use of thetwo seats as disclosed herein. These benefits are perhaps best seen inFIG. 6 illustrating a perspective view of the rear of the cart 100.

From the foregoing detailed description of cart 100 and correspondingdrawings, it will further be appreciated that there is no push barextending laterally across the rear of the cart by which a person mightgrab and push the cart. Such a push bar is believed to interfere withand otherwise impede the ease of loading of the baskets in theshelf-like system. It is believed that removal of the push bar allowsfor complete access to the open baskets at the rear of the cart forloading of articles into either of the baskets while shopping from thesame vantage point of pushing the cart. This requires fewer steps by theperson in stepping around from the rear of the cart and enables theperson to better focus on shopping from one item to the next. This alsomakes shopping in crowded aisles easier, as a person does not have tostep out from the rear of the cart to a side of the cart.

It will further be appreciated that the omission of the conventionalpush bar allows for an easier and more natural way of steering the cart.Curved handles on each side of the cart extend between and connectrespective upper ring handles and lower ring handles and are configuredand dimensioned such that the curved handles extend toward oppositelateral sides of a person standing at the rear of the cart. The curvedhandles and upper and lower ring handles are located generally over therear wheels of the cart. The side position of the curved handles,including the upper handle rings, allow for shoppers of any height topush the cart comfortably by gripping and pushing the cart. It furtherwill be appreciated that gripping and steering the cart at the rearsides thereof make steering and control of the cart easier. The designalso permits for full and open access to the baskets similar to shelvesin a home pantry. Such an open backside also prevents steering inhorizontal position, which is believed to be unnatural. People tend towalk with their hands at their sides, and pushing in such a relaxedposition with their hands vertical to their sides, palms faced towardeach other, is believed to be more conducive for slower pace shoppingexperiences.

In use, the cart 100 features convenience in loading. In particular, thetwo baskets 106,110 are stacked in spaced, vertical relation, with therear of the baskets being offset from one another at the rear of thecart. A person pushing the cart usually stands at the rear of the cart,and the two baskets present a shelf-like system for ease of loading ofarticles by the person at the rear of the cart.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-26, FIG. 10 is a perspective top left front viewof a cart 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 11 is a perspective top left side view of the cart 200;FIG. 12 is a perspective top left back view of the cart 200; FIG. 13 isa perspective top right back view of the cart 200; FIG. 14 is aperspective top right side view of the cart 200; FIG. 15 is aperspective top right front view of the cart 200; FIG. 16 is aperspective bottom left front view of the cart 200; FIG. 17 is anotherperspective bottom left front view of the cart 200; FIG. 18 is aperspective bottom left side view of the cart 200; FIG. 19 is aperspective bottom left back view of the cart 200; FIG. 20 is aperspective bottom right back view of the cart 200; FIG. 21 is anotherperspective bottom right back view of the cart 200; FIG. 22 is aperspective bottom right side view of the cart 200; FIG. 23 is aperspective bottom right front view of the cart 200; FIG. 24 is anotherperspective bottom right front view of the cart 200; FIG. 25 is aperspective view of the bottom of the cart 200; and FIG. 26 is aperspective bottom rear view of the cart 200.

The structure and functionality of cart 200 is similar to that of cart100, and therefore just the primary differences will be described forpurposes of brevity.

As seen in FIGS. 10-26, the cart 200 comprises one or more cup holders252. Each cup holder 252 is attached to a chassis of the cart 200 at theuppermost part of the cart 200, namely, at upper handles 214,218. Suchpositioning of the cup holders provides for easy placement of a drink ofa shopper without the shopper being obstructive to the mechanics ofoperating the cart. Nor do the cup holders inhibit nesting of the carts200.

Regarding upper basket 206, the rear area of the upper basket 206defines a seat for an infant weighing preferably up to 35 lbs. Being inthe rear of the upper basket 206, the infant is designed to be locatedin close proximity to the person pushing the cart. Snap-and-lock straps(now shown) preferably are included with the cart 200 for securing theinfant. High side walls of the upper basket 206 in the rear area furthersecure the infant. Furthermore, the widthwise elongate member 230, whichextends between the handles 214,218 in contact with the underneath ofthe upper basket 206, is located closer to the rear of the upper basketthan in cart 100 and, in fact, underlies the infant seating area. Thisis schematically illustrated in FIG. 33.

An opening 246 for accommodating the infant's legs is defined in therear wall of the upper basket 206, and a gate 248 serving as acompartment divider is provided for forming two compartments in thecargo area of the upper basket 206 for separating articles placed in theupper basket 206 from the infant seating area. While the gate 248 may befixed in position to the upper basket 206 and not movable, preferablythe gate 248 is connected to a bottom of the upper basket 206 forpivoting movement relative thereto, and may be attached by one or morehinges to the bottom of the upper basket 206. Alternatively othermechanisms can be utilized in place of the one or more hinges so long asthe gate is configurable between a generally upstanding position, inwhich the gate 248 divides and compartmentalizes the cargo area, and agenerally stowed position, in which the gate 248 does not divide andcompartmentalize the cargo area. A hinged seat covering 254 also isprovided that is pivotal on the rear wall or floor of the upper basket206 and further may be provided for compartmentalized use of the infantseating area as an area for receiving articles when an infant is notseated there; such hinged seat covering 254 prevents articles fromfalling through the leg opening 246.

An additional gate 256 is provided that serves to compartmentalize thecargo area of the upper basket 206 for separating articles placed in theupper basket 206. The gate 256 preferably lifts and slides in place toprovide adequate compartmentalization of articles, facilitating forexample grocery grouping. The gate 256 may be connected to a bottom ofthe upper basket 206 for pivoting movement relative thereto. In thisrespect, the gate 256 may be attached by one or more hinges to thebottom of the upper basket 206. Alternatively other mechanisms can beutilized in place of the one or more hinges so long as the gate 256 isconfigurable between a generally upstanding position, in which the gatefurther divides and compartmentalizes the cargo area of the upper basket256, and a generally stowed position, in which the gate 256 does notfurther divide and compartmentalize the cargo area of the upper basket206. In like manner, the lower basket 210 includes a similar gate 258that divides and compartmentalizes the cargo area of the lower basket210.

Regarding the toddler seat of the lower basket 210, a seat covering 260is attached to the floor of the lower basket 210 in a generally flatorientation against the bottom of the lower basket 206 so as to define aseating area of the toddler seat.

Regarding the upper and lower handles, printed media 262 includingpromotional advertisements preferably is positioned within the openingareas as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 10-26.

Lastly, the wheel base wb1 in the rear of the cart 200 may be longerthan the wheel base wb2 in the front of the cart, as schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 25. Alternatively, the wheel bases may beapproximately the same.

FIG. 27 is a perspective top left side view of a cart 300 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. The structure andfunctionality of cart 300 is similar to that of cart 100 and 200.Additionally, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 28, the cart 300comprises a latch 370 located on or attached to the upper basket on aside of the cart 300, whereby a purse or other personal item having astrap or ring can be latched to the cart 300 in a secure location andmanner.

The cart is further representative of carts 100,200 and in this respectFIG. 36 schematically illustrates the height of the cargo area of thelower basket and height of the side walls of the upper basket of thecart 300, which is similar to that of carts 100,200; and FIG. 37schematically illustrates the height and footprint of the cart 300itself, which is similar to that of carts 100,200.

Carts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are believed tohave a smaller footprint while providing larger cargo space thanconventional carts. Furthermore, it is contemplated that one or moreembodiments of carts of the present invention can be used in manydifferent shopping contexts including, for example, grocery stores,warehouse clubs, home improvement retailers, drug chains and specialtyretailers. In each context the distance between the baskets verticallyand horizontally, the size of each basket, and even slight modificationsto the shape of the baskets can be modified, altered, or changes so asto accommodate the size, shape, and other attributes of items intendedto be placed into the carts. For example, a home improvement retailerlike The Home Depot may require a smaller upper basket with a largerlower basket in order to handle larger items, while some other retailersmight prefer the upper and lower baskets be similar in size. Suchmodifications are within the scope of the invention.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.Thus, for example, while the push bar of the prior art is omitted in theillustrated preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that in someembodiments of the invention a push bar is included. Additionally, whilethe baskets and rack have been described as preferably being formed fromwire, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that any orall of the baskets and rack be formed from plastic in at least someembodiments of the invention; and that any or all of the baskets andrack be made from formed metal in at least some embodiments of theinvention. Moreover, it is further contemplated that the chassis be madefrom plastic or formed metal in at least some embodiments of theinvention.

1. A cart, comprising: (a) a chassis; (b) wheels attached to the chassisfor rolling of the cart; (c) an upper basket attached to the chassis anddefining an upper cargo area for receiving articles for transport on thecart; and (d) a lower basket attached to the chassis and defining alower cargo area for receiving articles for transport on the cart; (e)wherein the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cartfor pushing of the cart by a person. 2-9. (canceled)
 10. The cart ofclaim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a widthwise support member onwhich the upper basket is cantilevered over the lower basket.
 11. Thecart of claim 10, wherein such widthwise support member is the only partof the chassis that extends the width of the cart and that is directlyconnected to and directly supports the upper basket in its cantileveredposition over the lower basket.
 12. The cart of claim 1, wherein thecart further comprises a rack located under the lower basket and whereinthe rack preferably comprises a wire framework that is bounded at thefront and sides by the chassis, including a portion of the chassis thatdefines a U-shaped bottom bumper of the cart that extends around thefront and part of the sides of the bottom of the cart.
 13. (canceled)14. The cart of claim 12, wherein the lower basket is cantilevered overthe rack, and the chassis comprises a widthwise support member on whichthe lower basket is cantilevered over the rack.
 15. The cart of claim14, wherein such widthwise support member is the only part of thechassis that extends the width of the cart and that is directlyconnected to and directly supports the lower basket in its cantileveredposition over the rack. 16-28. (canceled)
 29. The cart of claim 1,wherein the chassis defines on each of the opposite lateral sides of thecart a pair of vertically spaced handles for gripping and pushing thecart by a person when standing at the rear of the cart. 30-32.(canceled)
 33. The cart of claim 29, wherein each handles comprises ahandle bar shaped in an oval. 34-36. (canceled)
 37. The cart of claim29, wherein one or more elongate members of the chassis on each side ofthe cart extend between and connect the handles, and wherein saidelongate member is curved and in the shape of an arc in its extentbetween the handles, with said elongate member extending beyond the rearof the upper basket and the rear of the lower basket so as to define therearmost part of the cart.
 38. The cart of claim 29, wherein the handleson each side are vertically located over a wheel. 39-42. (canceled) 43.A cart, comprising: (a) a chassis; (b) wheels attached to the chassisfor rolling of the cart; (c) an upper basket attached to the chassis anddefining an upper cargo area for receiving articles for transport on thecart; and (d) a lower basket attached to the chassis and defining alower cargo area for receiving articles for transport on the cart; (e)wherein the upper basket is cantilevered over the lower basket.
 44. Thecart of claim 43, wherein the chassis comprises a widthwise supportmember on which the upper basket is cantilevered over the lower basket.45. The cart of claim 44, wherein such widthwise support member is theonly part of the chassis that extends the width of the cart and that isdirectly connected to and directly supports the upper basket in itscantilevered position over the lower basket.
 46. The cart of claim 43,wherein the cart further comprises a rack located under the lowerbasket, and wherein the lower basket is cantilevered over the rack, andthe chassis comprises a widthwise support member on which the lowerbasket is cantilevered over the rack. 47-48. (canceled)
 49. The cart ofclaim 46, wherein such widthwise support member is the only part of thechassis that extends the width of the cart and that is directlyconnected to and directly supports the lower basket in its cantileveredposition over the rack.
 50. A cart, comprising: (a) a chassis; (b)wheels attached to the chassis for rolling of the cart; (c) an upperbasket attached to the chassis and defining an upper cargo area forreceiving articles for transport on the cart; and (d) a lower basketattached to the chassis and defining a lower cargo area for receivingarticles for transport on the cart; (e) wherein the chassis defines oneach of the opposite lateral sides of the cart a pair of verticallyspaced handles for gripping and pushing the cart by a person whenstanding at the rear of the cart. 51-55. (canceled)
 56. The cart ofclaim 50, wherein each handle comprises a handle bar shaped in an oval.57. (canceled)
 58. The cart of claim 50, wherein one or more elongatemembers of the chassis on each side of the cart extend between andconnect the handles, and wherein a said elongate member is curved and inthe shape of an arc in its extent between the handles. 59-60. (canceled)61. The cart of claim 58, wherein said curved elongate member extendsbeyond the rear of the upper basket and the rear of the lower basket soas to define the rearmost part of the cart.
 62. The cart of claim 50,wherein the handles on each side are vertically located over a wheel.63-69. (canceled)